Rita Wilson Discusses Breast Cancer Treatment and Body Image

Rita Wilson opened up about the effects of her 2015 breast cancer diagnosis and treatment on her body image in an interview with People magazine that was published on May 9. Wilson, who was 58 at the time of her diagnosis, underwent a bilateral mastectomy followed by reconstruction.

She said the experience led her to view her body in a new way, recognizing both what was missing and what it could still do to support healing and health.

"These parts of your body that had been there for you in such a beautiful way were gone," Wilson, 69, told the magazine. She added that she is grateful for modern medical options such as reconstruction and implants, noting that in her mother's generation a breast cancer diagnosis left fewer choices.

Wilson recorded a song that addresses conflicting feelings about physical appearance after major changes such as cancer treatment or childbirth.

Wilson said she told Hanks that if she did not survive, she had two requests.

One was that her loved ones hold a celebration of life after her death. "I want it to be a celebration of life," Wilson said. " She added that she believes many people would prefer such an approach to remembrance.